Another wonderful visit to Gent was enjoyed this week where liveability is at the core of the city with innovative solutions on traffic management and home areas, as well as strong recycling policies and the claim to be the vegetarian capital of Europe.
Climate Change issues run through most things so it was great to be accosted by campaigners from Gent Milieu Front (Ghent Environmental Front) on misuse of plastic beer ‘glasses’ at in use at the Ghent Six Day Cycle Race (our main reason for the visit).
We enjoyed a good chat.
Hundreds of thousands of plastic glasses are used at this event so we were especially pleased to see these young people taking a stand against them – passing out publicity, supporters' stickers and explaining the cause for reuseables.
Something for Whitchurch and Basingstoke & Deane to actively promote to all events locally?
SHOULD ALL BUILDING HALT?
There are regular complaints about 'traffic levels' by residents of Whitchurch, especially when housing developments or the effects of the School Run are being discussed. It is a very understandable concern especially from the local residents who already have to bear the brunt of that School Run with its regular pavement parking, speeding vehicles and dangers to pedestrians and cyclists.
A Nursery pushed traffic up the agenda
One such example arose with a recent planning application for a Nursery to be placed on the Knowlings Field, an area of agricultural land used unofficially as open space, but with difficult access. A regular theme amongst the objectors is that the surrounding access roads, notably Micheldever Road which already provides access to the Primary and Secondary schools could not cope with any more 'traffic'.
The Nursery was to have 8 car park spaces all of which would be served via Micheldever Road.
The application was refused.
So...
Is any more 'traffic' in Micheldever Road and on the roads that lead off it acceptable?
The question I seriously pose is that if that is the case, all increases in traffic should to be objected to,. So where do we stand when assessing smaller developments; ones where the increase would be requiring only one or two new vehicle spaces; those for single new houses or extensions in size of existing ones.
Each will generate more traffic while planning regulations require the provision of additional parking spaces.
It could take just four or five such applications to reach the level that was proposed for the Nursery and so strongly opposed.
Small but important changes are taking place in Whitchurch
A bicycle bell rang out from a child's bike outside the Town Hall as Whitchurch Town Councillors met for their monthly meeting; and a cycling issue was on the Agenda.
A coincidence?
Maybe, but cycling and sustainable transport is climbing fast up the public order paper as roads become more clogged and frustrations with motoring rise.
The Get Britain Cycling
Report.
Get Britain Cycling
The same evening the Get Britain Cycling Report was being debated in Westminster with its recommendations being accepted unanimously by the 100 MPs in the House of Commons. They included Whitchurch's own, the bicycling baronet and Chief Whip Sir George Young. Meanwhile 5000 people on bikes of all types expressed their passion on the roads outside Parliament asking for 'Space For Cycling'. Yes cycling is in the news.
But back here in Whitchurch it was a lot quieter. Being a small country town of not many more than 4000 people there is a different ambience, a different pace, but many of the issues are the same including safety on the roads.
Town Council support welcomed
While the parliamentary debate was still taking place, the Whitchurch Councillors made their small, but nevertheless important decision. They undertook to provide some limited funding to "encourage and promote sustainable travel within the town to reduce use of motor transport for short journeys".
Are changes underway?
This is not a normal function of a rural Town Council, which is more concerned with allotment competitions, painting the local swings and the timekeeping of the Town Hall clock.
Town, Borough and National
representatives took to two wheels.
But last year local elected representatives took to two wheels themselves as they toured the streets looking at conditions those who cycle face.
They supported the The TimesCities for Cycling manifesto and voted to support a 20mph pilot scheme, while this year the Mayor 'unveiled' the new cycle rack.
So small, but important things are happening. Is this all indicating the start of a wider attitude change towards the overwhelming effects of the car-culture? Is it the beginning of a greater consideration towards the more vulnerable road users and the creation of a more pleasant place to live?
Whitchurch is a wonderful
centre for cycling.
Cycling increasing but fear remains
Throughout the UK more people are pulling their bikes out of sheds. More are riding to workplaces and to the shops, while increasing numbers are enjoying the river valleys and downlands on two wheels. But not all is the happy ring of that child's bicycle bell.
Many still fear traffic.
For many there is still a fear of traffic and a lack of confidence in taking a bicycle onto today's roads. Few bikes in the local school racks more than hints at a parental fear too, and regular complaints about the large lorries, speeding drivers and pavement parking fill social media sites. Where next?
With Whitchurch being just one-mile across what would encourage more use of the bicycle?
What would make a cycle journey more attractive than using the car?
What would entice someone to try the efficient, healthy, low cost and fun way to travel?
When we have the answers to these then perhaps we can look at providing some solutions.
'Space For Cycling' may be one of them.
Last December, a local resident (Mr Mike Stead) organised a public meeting where some very legitimate concerns about the dangers at the A34/Tufton road intersection were raised.
This junction is a major route for anyone who wishes to leave Whitchurch in a southerly direction and avoid using the fast dual carriageway A34 trunk road.
This is a popular route
into the surrounding countryside.
(click to enlarge)
Hampshire County Councillor for Whitchurch and Clere, Tom Thacker, was left in no doubt that the present situation was believed to be 'an accident waiting to happen' and promised to investigate some of the ideas. With cycling becoming increasingly popular, more are using this junction as a link into the surrounding countryside but its not just cycling that is affected - the danger is as great for drivers and their families in motor vehicles too.
It is now SEVEN months later and nothing has changed. Neither Hampshire County Council nor the Highways Agency have made any improvements.
The minimum that was hoped for was to place 'barriers' in the slip road to force vehicles coming off the A34 to keep to the correct left hand lane and prevent potentially fatal head-on collisions.
Yet we now have another Summer where lives will continue to be at risk.
This is more than disappointing, but perhaps unsurprising - after all Hampshire has the highest number of KSIs (Killed or Seriously Injured) in the whole country according to latest Department for Transport figures.
Vehicles regularly cross the hatching.
Vehicles leaving the A34 continue to go on to the right hand side of the road, crossing the hatching, often at high speed.
This is frightening and potentially lethal to anyone leaving Whitchurch and turning right towards Tufton.
Whether by cycle or motor vehicle the risk of a serious collision is high.
Skid marks showing a near miss (or was it worse?)
and another vehicle crosses into a potential
head on collision position.
And the proof is there to see. There are presently some severe skid marks on the road showing that incidents have taken place, probably with very near misses or worse.
This risk can be reduced so easily and at a relatively low cost, yet it remains. Why?
Update requested
Councillor Thacker has been asked for an update: "Could you say what actions have been and are to be taken to ensure the safety of the more vulnerable road users?"
Some news on the footpath improvements and other suggestions that were also raised at the meeting would also be welcome.
This initiative started by Mr Stead needs following through before someone is killed.
We all know how congested our towns (such as Whitchurch) are for traffic, and that at times it can get quite worrying on a cycle unless you have nerves of steel, as some drivers will try and squeeze past when the space is not really there.
But ultimately everyone is doing the same – carrying out a journey, which should be possible without danger.
A new banner advertisement is being promoted by Hampshire County Council with what, on the face of it, seems a sensible message – drivers and cyclists are more alike than you think.
However there are some concerns about the deeper implications as the HCC 'banner' shows a person riding a bike and someone driving a car in very close proximity, something that to many can be frightening.
It also seems the HCC artwork shows the vehicles closer than in the Department for Transport Think! originals on their website guidelines. Does this HCC banner imply that leaving just a few inches between the vehicles is acceptable?
Is this something HCC are happy about?
It is not wholly clear who is overtaking who in the graphic but let's look at two very common aspects of vehicle movements:
ONE PEOPLE IN CARS OVERTAKING PEOPLE ON BIKES
The Highway Code says: Rule 163:give cyclists at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car.
This is accompanied by a picture:
Does the new HCC 'endorsed' poster adhere to the principles within the Highway Code that vehicles should have a reasonable distance between them when passing?
Is the campaign material misguided? Over the sea in Ireland they have a different approach to road safety education that what seems to be the case in Hampshire.
There, they have launched an excellent short film on overtaking:
TWO PEOPLE ON BIKES CARS OVERTAKING PEOPLE IN CARS
Let's assume that the driver in the HCC poster is stationary and the person cycling is passing by, as the graphic is not clear on this.
Again, does the few inches shown imply that that is a suitable distance?
Riders passing cars should be on the look out for many potential hazards, from dogs running out from behind vehicles to drivers setting off on their journey. One of the biggest hazards to those on cycles, especially when passing cars in urban areas, is the opening of the car door, which can be lethal.
However the onus must and does rightly remain with the driver not to open doors in the path of others, but regretably evidence is showing that they are taking less care and are doing so more often with disastrous results.
The Highway Code says: Rule 239:you MUST ensure you do not hit anyone when you open your door.
Note that this is the law, not advice.
2011 saw 594 cyclists being injured after hitting or swerving around a car door.
This is up a staggering 126 on the 2009 figure.
Is the HCC campaign implying that the acceptable distance to pass vehicles is just a few inches?
Is that sensible?
While I am sure the banner was created with good intentions, the design of the poster's graphics and the deeper message that it sends out, does little for road safety, and may even be harmful. That road safety 'experts' seem to endorse this for Hampshire, a County where casualty figures for the more vulnerable are rising, is worrying.
HCC have been recently promoting this banner through social networking, and intend running a campaign this Spring/Summer. They have been invited to participate on a cycle ride to see the issues in real life situations.
Another wonderful visit to Gent was enjoyed this week where liveability is at the core of the city with innovative solutions on traffic management and home areas, as well as strong recycling policies and the claim to be the vegetarian capital of Europe.
Climate Change issues run through most things so it was great to be accosted by campaigners from Gent Milieu Front (Ghent Environmental Front) on misuse of plastic beer ‘glasses’ at in use at the Ghent Six Day Cycle Race (our main reason for the visit). 
